New York — Chipper Jones came to bat in the second inning with a gaudy .376 by his name on the scoreboard, and lashed the first pitch he saw from Cleveland left-hander Cliff Lee up the middle for a single.

It took the Braves third baseman seven years to get back to the All-Star Game, and one pitch to get a hit. Not too surprising, considering his .419 average against lefties before the break.

Jones grounded out in his second at-bat and left the game after striking out with two runners on base and one out in the sixth inning.

The game was the exclamation point on a two-day whirlwind for Braves All-Star catcher Brian McCann and Jones, 36, who never downplayed his excitement at being voted to start in the final All-Star Game in Yankee Stadium.

McCann and Jones brought their wives and parents to New York. Jones' dad, Larry Sr., had never visited New York and had as grand a time as his son, who introduced him to legends.

"He met Willie Mays, Ernie Banks, Mike Schmidt ... he's in hog heaven," Jones said.

As was Chipper, who reveled in the chance to play in another Midsummer Classic. He played in five All-Star Games in a six-year span through 2001, and in recent years he didn't know if he would play in another.

If he could have picked one to play in, this was it, Jones said.

For the Yankee Stadium occasion, 49 Hall of Fame players took part in a pregame ceremony, including iconic former Braves Hank Aaron and Phil Niekro.

They were introduced as they stood at their old positions, then were joined by current All-Star starters. Jones hugged all four third basemen — Brooks Robinson, Schmidt, George Brett and Wade Boggs.

"It's been awesome," Jones said. "Been a great time. You almost wish the experience could last a little longer. But the business of baseball goes on."

Business resumes Friday for the Braves with a three-game home series against Washington, to be followed by a six-game trip to Florida and Philadelphia, a key stretch against East Division foes for the fourth-place Braves.

The Braves might trade Mark Teixeira and lefty Will Ohman if they fall further off the division lead than their current 6 1/2-game deficit. Or if they make a run after the break, they could make a deal or two to strengthen their team.

After the Braves won their last two games at San Diego before the break, Jones was asked if the Braves had what it took to make a run in the second half.

"There's no doubt, if we play good baseball we can compete with anybody," he said. "We can beat anybody. As with young teams, the consistency is just not there. But I'm not saying it can't or won't happen."

But if the Braves don't have a realistic shot at making the postseason, Jones expects them to shop Teixeira, who's eligible for free agency after the season.

"With the way baseball is these days," Jones said last week, "you fall out of contention and you've got a guy you don't know you can sign the next year, then quite honestly you'd be stupid not to at least entertain [offers].

"I mean, I realize that. People may not want to hear me say that, but you've got to realize the business of baseball."